Hampshire Fare Celebrates New Guide and New Chairman
The 2023 edition of Hampshire Fare's free annual Discover Local Produce guide, listing where to find the finest local food, drink and craft across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is hot off the press!
This year’s Discover Local Produce with Hampshire Fare guide was officially launched at Hill Farm Juice. This was at the invitation of Hill Farm Juice owner Will Dobson (pictured above with the Hampshire Fare team), who has just been appointed as the new Chairman of Hampshire Fare, taking the county food group back to its roots with a producer as Chairman.
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, explains: “This year’s edition of our annual guide to local produce has a special focus: ‘For the Love of Local Produce’. It is all about helping people to choose local by using local shops that support local producers, eating from menus that flag up local producer heroes, and buying local gifts that are more sustainable and greener.”
Will Dobson, Chairman, Hampshire Fare, adds: “Right now it is more important than ever to support local. I am very proud to take on the role of Chairman with Hampshire Fare. The county food and drink group is very effective as a collective representing nearly 400 hospitality, producer and retail members. As a producer, I know Hampshire Fare offers incredibly good bang for your buck as a marketing resource, and the Discover Local Produce guide is a very valuable aspect of that resource.”
Special features in this year’s guide include an article focusing on village stores, sustainable seafood recipes that can be prepared on the BBQ, and a listing explaining what is in season when. Hampshire Fare will be handing out copies at upcoming events, including Alresford’s Watercress Festival, and some copies will be available from independent member retailers such as farm shops.
Tracy Nash comments: “Our Guide has become established as an essential resource for those in the industry, among them chefs and people running delis, farm shops and village stores. However, it is also appreciated by consumers keen to know more about provenance.
“Shopping local is good for all of us! Local retailers can provide a personal service and advice, making shopping a more enjoyable experience. Let’s give back to our local shops who support local producers. Spread the love! Pick up one of our ‘For the Love of Local’ guides, but be warned, when they’ve gone, they’re gone!”
The Discover Local Produce guide always features a distinctive front cover. This year’s was styled and shot by The Electric Eye Photography, and inspired by the theme ‘For the Love of Local’. A heart template was built and filled with produce including gravlax from Butler Country Estates, trout from ChalkStream Foods, vegetables from Durleighmarsh Farm Shop, eggs from Fluffetts, charcuterie from Hogget & Boar, cheeses from Laverstoke Park Farm and Lyburn Farm, micro leaves from Lightfoot’s Farm and Lusso Leaf, mushrooms from New Forest Wild and Exotic Mushrooms, and tomatoes from The Tomato Stall, amongst many others.
Read and download a digital copy of Discover Local Produce HERE.
Image with thanks to The Electric Eye Photography